Computer Art

Computer generated art is a growing fields and probably one of the most misunderstood fields of art around. I turned to it in the late 90s mainly because of the arthritis in my hands. One of the biggest problems we face as computer artists is the perception that we aren't artists because we use a computer and draw from a vast array of objects that either come from the program we are using or are built by others. The 3D meshes and presets we manipulate are just as valid of tools as tubes of paints, brushes, pens, charcoal, etc. What we do with our tools is original pieces of art.

Computer artists are a very tight knit band because we do face a sometimes hostile audience. In many ways we face the same problems as the artists who started "Modern Art." It is different and that difference bothers some people. Even among fellow artists we faced a mixed reaction. Some artists scoff at what we do and some like the great Frank Lurz applaud our efforts and see us as legitimate artists.

Is what we create art? Of course it is and all of us have our own distinct style. The 3D mesh models that we use are our starting block. We then manipulate these objects with texture, reshaping, positioning and ultimately composing the pictures we make. If you take a group of graphic artists and give them the same program, same models, etc. every one of our pictures comes out different. They are all unique and just as much art as if we painted them on the canvas instead of the monitor.

In many ways graphic art is more frustrating then oil painting because with oils you can get the picture you want the first time out. To get the same picture with the computer you have so many different things to manipulate to try and get the effect you want. You are working in 3D and that presents an additional challenge. You aren't just using the artist's tricks to show perspective and tricking the eye into thinking the 2D canvas is showing a 3D picture.

So my fellow graphic artists hang in there. Just remember that people thought Salvador Dali and Picasso weren't artists when they first started out. More and more people are discovering the incredible art that we are doing on the computer. We are artists. We are good artists. The picture is "Morning Has Broken" and our computer art is at the start of day and as we progress and move forward we will be accomplishing some mind blowing art for you. Stay tuned to be amazed.